Detroit liquor licenses now flow through city council due to dwindling population

View full sizeFile PhotoDetroit's population decline means City Council now must weigh in on new liquor licenses from bars, restaurants or other venues.

Detroit's population decline means City Council now must weigh in on new liquor licenses from bars, restaurants or other venues.

The state announced Tuesday that because Detroit's population count dropped below 750,000 the Michigan Liquor Control Commission can't approve such licenses without a City Council recommendation.

The change involves applications for a license to sell alcohol for consumption on the premises of a business. The state says the 750,000 threshold has long been in the law. Detroit was the only Michigan city above that level.

Applications approved before Nov. 22 are OK.

Detroit's population of about 713,000 is down about 200,000 from a decade earlier, according to U.S. Census figures from the 2010 count. The population of Michigan's largest city fell more than 1 million since 1950.